Marijuana The Impact of Use on Students and Schools

Gordon Jackson, Director Coordinated Student Support Division CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Marijuana: Schools •

It is widely recognized that there is a critical link between students’ health and their academic performance.

•

We know that schools have higher levels of academic achievement when students have safe environments and fewer health-risk factors (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, drug use—including marijuana).

•

Fewer health-risk factors decrease chronic tardiness and absenteeism.

TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Marijuana: The problem •

Did you know that Cannabis has over 400 chemical entities, some of them with opposing effects?

•

Negative outcomes are associated with marijuana use, including diminished cognitive function, which can lead to lower academic achievement.

•

Students who use marijuana are at greater risk for problems with alcohol and other substance abuse, disciplinary and other problems in school.

TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Marijuana: What We Know TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

•

Overall, there has been a declining trend in the use of marijuana.

•

But in 2011–13, there was a rise in marijuana use indicators that appeared rooted in more positive attitudes and availability (California Healthy Kids Survey).

•

The number of young people who believe marijuana use is risky is decreasing (Monitoring the Future Survey).

•

Legalization of marijuana for medical use or adult recreational use in a growing number of states may affect these views.

•

New technology giving youth with an array of new forms and devices for marijuana dependence.

•

Recently and for the first time, marijuana use exceeded daily cigarette smoking.

•

And let’s look at the data…

California Healthy Kids Survey Biennial State Results 2011–15 Grade 7

Grade 9

Grade 11

TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

2011–13 (%)

2013–15 (%)

2011–13 (%)

2013–15 (%)

2011–13 (%)

2013–15 (%)

6

4

15

11

26

19

5

3

7

5

12

9

Ever E-cigs2

N/A

13

N/A

26

N/A

32

Current E-cigs2

N/A

8

N/A

13

N/A

16

7

5

15

13

25

20

Ever smoked whole cigarette Current smoking1

Current marijuana

Notes: 1Past 30 days 2Electronic cigarettes or other vaping device

Emerging Trends? • Startling increase of e-cigarettes! Per youth, ecigarettes are considered safer than cigarettes. TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Conventional cigarette use is decreasing. • Marijuana use exceeded conventional cigarette use. • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) responsible for marijuana’s mind altering effect is widely available in various forms. • Perceived harm from marijuana is decreasing. • These mixed results prompt us to ask:

Are we seeing an increase in marijuana use via ecigarettes or other devices?

What the California Department of Education is Doing •

A recent California Department of Education (CDE) pilot project confirmed that substance use decreases when School Climate improves.

•

Every Student Succeeds Act is a way to provide more funding opportunities to support schools in addressing school climate and substance use.

•

The CDE is committed to continue funding to student surveys and evaluation.

•

Protect the health and wellbeing of our students if marijuana is legalized for adults in CA through education, policy, and research.

•

Support a school based education program to prevent youth form beginning to use marijuana and to improve school performance.

TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Resources •

California Healthy Kids Survey Web page at chks.wested.org

•

Monitoring the Future Study: Trends in Prevalence of Marijuana Web site at www.monitoringthefuture.org/

•

National Institute for Drug Abuse Web page at Drugabuse.gov/marijuana

•

Tobacco Related Disease and Research Program Web site at www.trdrp.org

•

The Triangulum: Tobacco, Marijuana, and E-Cigarettes Webcast at http://www.trdrp.org/highlights-newsevents/triangulum-webcast-may-26-2016.html

TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Contact Information: TOM TORLAKSON State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Gordon Jackson, Director Coordinated Student Support Division California Department of Education Phone: 916-319-0911 E-Mail: [email protected]